the
echo Volume 105 Issue 5 April 2021 1 0 0 S e l m a Av e . w g e c h o . o r g
Women’s basketball makes history at State tournament pg. 3
Staff EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Jaden Fields PRINT EDITOR: Maeve Taylor JUNIOR EDITOR: Jackson Parks VIDEO EDITOR: Calum Shank SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER/ GRAPHICS EDITOR: Zeke La Mantia NEWS/ OPINION EDITOR: Elise Wilke-Grimm FEATURE EDITOR: Ava Musgraves ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR: Addie Palmquist PODCAST EDITOR: Lydia Urice ADVISOR: Donald Johnson
the
echo
Women’s basketball makes history at State tournament Science teacher steps in to teach AP chemistry class March brings focus to women’s history Marvel’s ‘WandaVision’ tries to be a classic sitcom COVID-19 does not hinder baseball’s 2021 season COVID-19 vaccine becomes ‘wish list’ item Asian Pacific Awareness Committee serves as safe space
3 4 5 6 6 7 8
See page 4 to read a profile of AP Chemistry teacher Mebbie Landsness
SOME MATERIAL FROM TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE The Echo is a monthly publication of the newspaper staff of Webster Groves High School, 100 Selma Ave., Webster Groves, MO. To contact staff members, call 314963-6400 ex. 11157 or write to wgecho@ wgmail.org. Unsigned editorials are the opinion of a majority of staff members; signed articles are the opinion of the writer. Letters to the editor of 300 words or less are welcome; submit letters by the 10th of the month to wgecho@wgmail.org, or room 155. All letters must be signed, although the name may be withheld from publication if requested. The Echo has the right to edit letters for publication as long as intent remains unchanged. The Echo is a member of SSP, Quill and Scroll, MJEA, JEA, MIPA, NSPA and CSPA.
See page 7 to read about people’s COVID-19 vaccine experiences
See page 6 to read a review of Marvel’s “WandaVision”
See page 5 to read about the importance of Women’s history month
Cover cutline: Junior Jenna Clark reaches over a Marquette player after passing the ball to a teammate at the March 10, Sectional game where Webster won 64-49. Photo by Jaden Fields
2
wgecho.org
Table of Contents | April 2021
Stateswomen make history at State tournament
Photos by Sophie Schnieders
Junior Eliza Maupin jumps as she tries to gain possession of the ball at the State championship game on March 20, at Missouri State University. The team gathers in a huddle with coaches. Junior Ellie Polucek dribbles the ball down the court.
Addie Palmquist Entertainment Editor
antines and games canceled. We have been able to rise above these difficult times and play really well… The players know that all of the coaches believe in them. That goes a long way for our confidence. The players believe in each other as well.” Spuhl went on to say that the seniors, Gabriela Moore, Ja’mise Bailey and Dana Buford, have really stepped up this year to help support the team and lead them to victory. About how COVID has affected their season, Bailey said, “Covid, of course, has changed everything. My senior year consisted of wearing masks everywhere including basketball games. I’ve had to quarantine once during this season, cancelling some of our games. With all of that, I’ve managed to work through everything going on and make a positive impact on the school and for the basketball team.”
“The season has been a roller coaster with quarantines and games canceled. We have been able to rise above these difficult times and play really well…” --Coach Josh Spuhl
Women’s Varsity basketball played in the State championship tournament Friday, March 19, for the first time ever. After taking home the District championship title, the team went on to win Sectionals, Quarterfinals and Semifinals. After a long winning streak the team lost to Incarnate Word Academy 37-58 in the final State championship. Despite challenging circumstances due to the pandemic, the athletes and coaches were able to continue their hard work and it paid off. About how they’ve adapted to changes this season, Coach Josh Spuhl said, “The season has been a roller coaster with quar-
April 2021 | News
wgecho.org
3
Science teacher steps in to teach AP Chemistry class Maren DeMargel Contributing Writer
Ava’s Anecdote
Science teacher Mebbie Landsness has worked at Webster Groves High School for four years, and this year, she has been given a new opportunity. When AP Chemistry teacher Dr. Lisa Sylvester had to leave to help the Army Reserves with its COVID-19 response, Landsness was excited to step in and teach the class she left behind. “AP Chemistry is such a unique challenge. It’s really fast paced and high level, and I love seeing students rise to that challenge,” Landsness said via email. Normally, Landsness teaches courses in forensic science and sophomore chemistry. Even though she hasn’t taught AP Chemistry in a while, she feels ready to take on the challenge. “My Master’s degree was in physical chemistry so it’s nice to get back in the higher level chemistry game,” Landsness said via email.
Photo by Zeke La Mantia
Science teacher Mebbie Landsness enjoys her skeleton as company during her fourth hour planning period.
transition something that is smooth and beneficial for students, and I couldn’t be luckier to work with this awesome group of staff and students!” Landsness said via email.
Students discuss accuracy of astrology
Ava Musgraves Feature Editor With the world we currently live in, there aren’t many constants we can rely on, but one we can is daily horoscopes that correspond with one’s zodiac sign. A zodiac sign is one of the many things humans decided to assign babies at birth. To put it simply the pattern of stars that corresponds to a month determines the sign of the group of people born in that month. Once you get into it all, it’s really not as simple as it’s written off as. My question is, “How accurate can personality traits based on star charts really be?” Senior Annalise McCann said she is a Gemini, and she feels that she “kinda relates to her sign, usually happy and different sides to her personality. I am more excited around
4
Even though Landsness is excited for this new role, there are still challenges associated with it. “I think the speed with which we have to move through the curriculum, especially in our current schedule, is the most challenging, but I love that the students have been so ready and willing to go through this challenge with me. They really are the best!” Landsness said via email. Even though this transition has been a challenge, Landsness’s students speak very highly of her and her teaching abilities. “She handled the transition with grace and balanced her classes amazingly. She always finds time to put us first as students and dedicates so much effort to our class. She is literally the only reason I’m still in the class. She is brilliant,” AP Chemistry student Ivy Clark said via direct message. Landsness is grateful for the support she has received from her students and the science department. “We are all working hard to make this
wgecho.org
people but more reserved when I’m alone,” Which is a classic Gemini trait. Not only does astrology make assumptions about one’s personality, but also compatibility of relationships, romantic and platonic. For example, the Taurus and Virgo signs are supposed to be compatible because they both are earth signs, but the Gemini and Virgo signs are not. Senior Ava Sauer said about whether zodiac sign traits are too broad, “I think they are too broad, but because you can also go off your rising or moon sign, it can help hit all the marks in your personality, I’m an Aquarius but also a rising and moon Pisces, which I relate to more.” Astrology should not be confused with astronomy. According to a study done by the National Science Foundation more than half of millennials think astrology is a science. When Issac Newton came up with the math behind the rotation of the planets in relation to gravity, astronomy became
known as a science and astrology lost its relevance to the scientific field. For Time Magazine, astronomer Sten Ozwald said, “We don’t really know who first came up with the idea for looking at things in nature and divining influences on humans. Even if astrology’s answers aren’t based on scientific study, the reason people keep turning to the sky does come down to something very real — a psychological phenomenon called the human tendency for self-selection, the search for interpretations that match what we already hope to be true.” Even though zodiac signs aren’t backed up with scientific evidence, looking to nature for answers about why we are the way we are isn’t totally crazy, even according to NASA astronomers like Ozwald. So don’t feel crazy for believing in zodiac signs, because our ancestors have found meaning in the stars thoroughly throughout history, and it’s pretty fun to read your horoscope.
Feature | April 2021
March brings focus to women’s history
Public domain graphic from Wikimedia Commons
Elise Wilke-Grimm News/Opinion Editor Women’s History Month went on throughout March in order to celebrate the accomplishments of important women throughout history. One thing to look back on is something that happened about 100 years ago. Women were approved for voting rights per the 19th Amendment which states, “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.” Archives.gov writes, “Beginning in the mid19th century, several generations of woman suffrage supporters lectured, wrote, marched, lobbied, and practiced civil disobedience to achieve what many Americans considered a radical change in the Constitution – guaranteeing women the right to vote. Some suffragists used more confrontational tactics such as picketing, silent vigils, and hunger strikes.” Celebrating WHM encourages students to learn more about the history of American women. It is a time to honor the accomplishments women have made and it is a time to bring light to certain circumstances that still occur today. For example, a study surfaced in the beginning of March that stated 97% of women have been sexually harassed with-
in their life. Senior Ada Foley reflects on the importance of appreciation of women and the growth that has been achieved within America. “It’s also important to consider the growth that we still need to achieve and reflect on what being a woman means today,” Foley said. Junior Olivia Nennert is a co-leader of Feminist Coalition which fights for equal
has been made. Throughout Foley’s time spent on the Feminist Coalition she has learned a lot, this makes her want to encourage other students to become as open to learning as possible especially throughout WHM. “I have been enjoying the flood of stories getting shared this month. There are so many wonderful pieces of history being shared this month. [I encourage] people to just be open to absorbing it, and to [sympathize with] the experiences people are sharing,” Foley said. Senior Sarah Kaul, co-leader of Feminist Coalition, agreed with Nennert on how there is not enough being taught to the youth about the prominent women figures throughout history. Junior Camille Herrman is a member of FemCo, and she looks up to women figures like Frances Baker, Eliza Hamilton, Angelica Schuyler, Mary Magdalene, Saint Mary, Sacagawea, Cleopatra, Malala Yousafzai and Ruth Bader Ginsburg “There’s so many but those are some off of the top of my head,” Herrman said. “Women’s History Month means that it’s time to recognize the lives and accomplishments of women throughout history and understand that we would not be where we are today without these women. Because of how little information we learn in school about women, it’s especially important to honor impactful women figures,” Kaul said.
“Often in history classes we only learn about male history, so it’s nice to have so much women’s history that is prominent during the month” --Junior Olivia Nennert
April 2021 | Feature
rights and conversates about the injustices that still occur within society. Nennert is passionate about spreading awareness of women’s history which is why this month is so important to her. “Often in history classes we only learn about male history, so it’s nice to have so much women’s history that is prominent during the month,” Nennert said. Education of U.S. history and the important milestones women have accomplished are the main reason why people celebrate WHM. There are people who are left unaware of the progress women have made to get the U.S. where it is today, and though there are steps that still need to be taken in order to better the country WHM has helped to spread awareness of all the progress that
wgecho.org
5
Marvel’s ‘WandaVision’ tries to be a classic Sitcom Calvin Lescher Staff Writer “WandaVision’’ is a show that was released to Disney+ on Jan. 15. It does a great job of looking like an old fashion sitcom, and its story was enjoyable for people to watch It’s a sitcom about the two Avengers, Wanda Maximoff, played by Elizabeth Olsen, and Vision, played by Paul Bettany. It starts as a black and white show, but by episode three it is in full color. The show starts in the style of a 1950s sitcom. It progresses by about a decade each episode. There are lots of unexpected twists and turns that really add to not only the story, but also the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It introduces some characters who weren’t in the MCU until now and revisiting some older characters as well. The show has a brilliant plot and set up. It takes place in the small town of Westview. At first glance it’s a perfect town of friendly neighbors, but things aren’t what they seem. The set technology is also in the style of the era that the episode is going for. When it started, Tungsten lighting was used rather than LED and modified lenses were used to allow for a feel that fit the style that they were going for. As for the music, every episode’s theme was composed by Christophe Beck. The actors had to study sitcoms and prepare for the show for two weeks. According to the production brief, the director Matt Shakman called this a sitcom bootcamp. They watched shows and practiced the changes between costume, voice and apparel they would go through. The producers even had lunch with Dick Van Dyke to discuss “WandaVision” and how to make it accurate The film’s first episode was filmed in front of a live studio
Photo by Chuck Zlotnick/“Wandavision” Media Kit
In a still from episode one of WandaVision,Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) and Vision (Paul Bettany) accept a pineapple from their neighbor Agnes (Kathryn Hahn). The still is in black-and-white color grading to emulate the style of a 1950s sitcom.
audience. According to the production brief, it really helped all of the actors get into character. It took a lot of rehearsing on the actors’ part before it actually went in front of the live audience. “You can’t help yourself when there are people there—you want them to hear it and laugh at it. It makes it all a little bigger, and that, I think, captured the style of the ’50s. It was a brilliant decision,” Bettany said in the “WandaVision” production brief. All nine episodes of “WandaVision” do a very effective job at staying true to the intended era from the slang they use to the clothes they wear. Overall “WandaVision” is an unforgettable show.
COVID-19 does not hinder baseball ‘s 2021 season Calum Shank Video Editor Baseball tryouts for the high school held their tryouts on March 1. Freshman baseball player Jackson Torbit said, “The weather was perfect all week for tryouts; I couldn’t have asked for better weather for my first year on the team.” “The weather the past week was in the mid 60s and sunny. The sort of weather you always want for baseball,” freshman Steven Maschak said. Students including Maschak have stated that they didn’t believe they would have the chance to even practice let alone have a whole season.
6
wgecho.org
Maschak said, “It feels like a miracle,” when asked about how it feels to have a real season. The Varsity baseball team had its first scheduled jamboree versus Rockwood Summit on March 13, and its first scheduled tournament at Vianney on March 19. The team lost the game against Vianney 13-0. The Junior Varsity has its first scheduled tournament against Eureka on March 27. The team lost 8-3. Also, the freshman’s (C team) had its first scheduled game against John Burroughs, at John Burroughs field on March 30. The team won the game 24-3 after a fifth inning mercy rule. All levels of the baseball team in the 2020 season were unable to play because
of COVID shutting down just before the beginning of the year. This was upsetting for all the players looking forward to the season. Graduated senior Dylan McDowell looked forward to playing baseball as a senior for Varsity but was unable too. “When I first found out that we wouldn’t have a season, I wasn’t shocked, but I was definitely disappointed,” McDowell said. “Baseball means everything to me. It just was very sad how my high school career ended before I even knew it,” McDowell said McDowell said this year’s senior class has a lot of talent, and he is excited to see how they will play and adapt to the new season.
Entertainment/Sports | April 2021
COVID-19 vaccine becomes ‘wish list’ item
Photo by Lee Young Ho/Pool/Sipa USA/Tribune News Service
A nurse fills a syringe with a dose of the AstraZeneca Plc COVID-19 vaccine at a public health center in Incheon, South Korea, on Feb. 26,.
Kelly Woodyard Staff Writer Annually, talk surrounding the release of whatever trend floods the Internet and creates conversations at the dinner table. Different from the past, the 2021 trendy “wish list item” seems to be the COVID-19 vaccine. Large groups ranging in age depending on their job, health status and overall environment, are eligible to receive the vaccine. Plans to extend to the groups at less risk seem to be approaching. Developments with the Johnson and Johnson vaccine being confirmed shift the advancements in getting more and more people vaccinated further as well. Teachers at Webster received the vac-
cine on Tuesday, March 16. This vaccination may increase the chances of students fully returning to school post Spring Break. Eighteen year old Ella Ferguson recently received the vaccine and was asked
flu shot, and it was. It was fast and essentially painless,” Ferguson said. Talk of symptoms post receiving the vaccine has been spreading, professionals have said symptoms may feel like having the flu. “The only symptom I really had was some bruising around the injection site, but it was nothing I haven’t already experienced from previous vaccines. Post vaccine, I felt so much relief and anticipation for what a post-pandemic world will look like,” Ferguson said. A new guideline released by the CDC explains that vaccinated people may meet with other vaccinated people in a non socially distanced manabout her experiences with receiving the ner, inside, unmasked. This new found vaccine. information possibly could attract more “I expected an experience similar to the people to want to get vaccinated.
“I expected an experience similar to the flu shot, and it was. It was fast and essentially painless” --Ella Ferguson
2,522,050 vaccines (first and second doses) have been administered in Missouri. Statistic provided by showmestrong.mo.gov/ April 2021 | Feature
wgecho.org
7
Asian Pacific Awareness Committee serves as safe space Maeve Taylor Print Editor The Asian Pacific Awareness Committee/Asian Pacific American Community (APAC) is Webster’s organization for students of Asian heritage (and those interested in the civil rights of Asian Americans). According to APAC president and senior Zoe Delay, the main missions of the committee are to “...serve as a place for the Asian population of WGHS to connect and support each other” as well as “...fight bias surrounding the Asian-American community.” “The goal of APAC is to help students be proud of their unique Asian-American identities, whether they be an immigrant, adopted, mixed or anything between. We also work hard to educate our peers about the nuances of our different cultures as well as the racial inequality currently experienced by many Asian Americans,” Delay said over email. The group meets once a week on Wednesdays; meetings take place over Zoom this year because of COVID. The most common activity at these meetings is discussion over topics such as the Model Minority Myth and beauty standards in America and Asia, where members are able to share thoughts, experiences and advice. Other APAC activities include Asian food potlucks, playing online games and hosting movie nights. Regarding activities, Delay said, “I try to make sure there are a lot of opportunities for social connection, because one of the main purposes of the club is to provide members with peers they can relate to.” “My favorite thing about APAC is being able to have fun community bonding time while still being socially distant. We’ve been able to watch Asian movies together and have snacks from our cultures. This is important to me because we all get to know each other better and I feel more connected to my heritage,” APAC vice president junior Scarlett Patton said over email. “My favorite thing about APAC is the community itself. I think it is important for people to have a safe space to talk about how they feel. There is a chance for everyone to speak up in APAC, and everyone is really respectful,” APAC member junior
Gabby Ramirez said over email. The group currently has around 15 members and is sponsored by social studies teacher Betty Roberts. In addition to membership in APAC, Delay encourages interest in other causes. “I also try to encourage students to participate in other causes such as Black Lives Matter. Supporting other oppressed groups is something that I’ve seen a lot with students in APAC,” Delay said. Delay founded the group in 2019 at the end of her sophomore year after experiencing several racist encounters her freshman year, as a way to create a safe space for other students to share and work through similar experiences. “My freshman year I experienced a lot of racist bullying. There were two people in particular, who would say some very hurtful things; whether it was calling me a ‘communist’ or derogatory terms, they were always picking on me for being Korean. Students and even the teacher who witnessed the racism never intervened, despite the obvious issues with the situation,” Delay said. “I started APAC with the goal of making the high school a safer place before my little brother would attend and with the hope it would provide a safe place for students dealing with racism (internal or external),” Delay said. “I think that APAC has been a lot more beneficial than I’d initially expected it to be. Whether it be helping adopted students reconnect to their heritage and Asian identity or just seeing students be able to give each other advice and relate to each other, I love to see the personal impact of APAC. Especially in times like now, when Asian American hate crimes have increased by an exponential amount, it’s important to help students take pride in their identities,” Delay said. Ramirez, regarding the impact that being in APAC has had on her, said, “APAC has helped me better understand the Asian American experience.” “APAC has had a significant impact on my life because it has allowed me to better explore my culture, which I personally find challenging as an adoptee. It has also helped me create stronger bonds with my friends and have more meaningful discussions within our community,” Patton said.
Friday, April 9, is a synchronous virtual day 8
wgecho.org
Feature | April 2021
